Adjustable and reversible sport identification



Feb; 2, 1965 P. 0. WILSON ETAL 3,167,782

ADJUSTABLE AND REVERSIBLE SPORT IDENTIFICATION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 22, 1962 INVENTOR rar 6410311238071.

ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1965 P. c; WILSON ETAL 3,167,732

ADJUSTABLE AND REVERSIBLE SPORT IDENTIFICATION 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 22, 1962 INVENTOR Patter aWiZSS an .AZZrmczn Adams ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1965 P. c. WILSON ETAL 3,167,782

ADJUSTABLE AND REVERSIBLE SPORT IDENTIFICATION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 22, 1962 //'I'IIIIIII'IIIII 7 INVENTOR JJMLJAZLMon .190 A ar-man Adam ATTORNEY United States Patent Filed Mar. 22, 1962, Ser. No. 181,603

2 Cia'irns. ((12-1) I This invention relates to an adjustable and reversible identification for participants in an athletic sport and, in particular, one which permits of. the'rnaximum' freedom of movement. I

' A mainobject of the invention is to provide a colorful, fully adjustable and reversible identification means that will replace or complement game uniforms.

A further objective is to minimize the number of suitings normally required by teams in athletic contests by the mere reversal or substitution of player and/or team designation. 7

An additional objective is to provide the apparel and identifications of a flexible but durable plastic material which may readily be cleaned. I

Still another object is to provide an adjustable sport apparel with reversible team or player identifications which do not restrict the body movement of the player and wherein all excess belting is frictionally secured and will not flap about during play. f

A still further object 'is to provide a player number means of identification which may be separately used without a belt or wherein the emblem unit may b'e-individually used or with the uniform apparel.

With these and other objects in view the invention may consist in the details of construction and combination of parts, as will be more fully understood from the following description and specifications, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

By way of further explanation, heretofore the problems involved in suiting out a group or team for the playing of numerous games,.were fitting the individual sizes with proper color, number and emblem identification. When changes were made in team personnel, refitting became necessary. The original purchase of such apparel is always expensive with the cleaning and maintenance of such equipment over a period of time even more expensive. This equipment can be used only for the team for which it was intended and very little interchangeable use between the teams was possible. Accordingly, the problem of placing a team emblem without interfering with number identification has also been a problem.

The subject'invention provides complete size adjustment quickly and simply with complete interchangeability between teams or individuals made possible. The invention provides decorative color contrast or complement for two teams by quickly turning the attire inside out.v

The same is true of providing a diiferent team emblem upon the reverse side of the emblem circle.

This invention also provides emblem silhouettes to be placed upona contrasting color background, and interchanging the emblems by reversing the circle. Provision is also made for the method of placing. a team emblem upon a player without interfering with number identification and also enables the same to be displayed when used with any uniform.

It will be appreciated, in addition, that through theme 3,i57,782 Patented Feb. 2, W

of the flexible durable plastic material it may easily be washed, eliminating the usual cleaning and maintainence problems. Further, the invention provides individual and team identificationwhich does not restrict body movement and any excess belting is frictionally secured and does not flap about during play.

The invention provides top number identification which may be used separately without the belt and there is also provided a bottom belt and emblem which may be used separately with any uniform or alone. It has been contemplated to provide a system whereby the identification circles are self centering upon the chest and back of the usual sized individual.

It is also an object to provide a sliding retainer for the "apparel belting allowing a simple piece of belting to be adjustable to all sizes while retaining the loose or surplus belt end.

In the drawings: 7

FIGURE 1 is a front view of the uniform apparel with the body of the wearer shown in dotted lines.

FIGURE 2 is a partial rear view of the same.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the lines 3-3 ofFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on the lines 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of one of the two stays that are to be mounted on the lower end of a shoulder strap.

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of a slide retainer showing the opposed serrated grooves whereby the main belt portion may be securely engaged and adjusted.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation of the same. 7

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7 and shows the belt portions secured thereto, while FIGURE 9 is a sectional view of the slide retainer taken on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8 showing the relative positions of the belting that is secured in the retainer.

, In the drawings where like reference numerals denote like parts, the numeral 10 refers to the body of the wearer, shown in dotted lines throughout the drawings. The number designations 12 and 14 are shown on the front and rear of the apparel 16 and are secured by rivets or staples 18 to the crossed shoulder straps 20 and 22. It is to be observed that these number designations are formed of doubled plastic material and although thesetwo plastic sections are secured by staples 18 they are separable to enable the insertion of the two shoulder straps 20 and 22 in crossed relationship. It is to be noted that the dotted lines 10 reflecting the wearers body do not conform to the actual size or shape of a human. The number 77 shown on the apparel is indicated .at 24 has only been shown in FIGURE 1 and may be secured by rivets, staples or plate 28 is shownin FIGURE 5 which is provided with 7 pairs of parallel slots 34 and 36 on the two right angular edges. An aperture 39 is provided for a purpose to be later explained. As indicated in FIGURE 1, the ends 30 and 32 of the shoulder straps 20 and 22 are adapted to, be

positioned through these slots 34 and 36 to enable adjustment of the straps.

Belowjthese connecting plates 28, and adaptedto encircle the waist of a player, is a doubled plastic belt background 38. ,The ends 40 and 42in front are folded back and the folds are spaced from each other. as shown .in. FIGURES 1 and 4. This doubled plastic belt background material is ofoposed colors as are the numerals 77 on the front and back of the doublednumber identification 12 and 14. Slits 44 have been made in the approximately horizontal belt background 38 forming loops 47 to permit extend, to the belt 46 or the players trouser loops to main.-

tain the component parts of the apparel in relative adjusted positions.

In FIGURE 2, a partial rear view of the combined sport designation has been shown with the upper=portion, com-' parable to number identification on the front, not shown in this view. With the exception of the connecting plates 28, the upperportion in the rear is identical to that disclosed in the front.

However, in the lower portion in the rear there is provided a team identification background 54-shown attached or mounted on the belt 46. This belt, in therear, passes through, oris woven through the loops- 56 of the belt background material 38. The emblem or team designation 58 is secured by rivets, staples, or other means-60 to the outside. The excess slitted belt grounding is now turned in and matchedto the nearest'corresponding slit. The centerof the'slitted background is located and the emblem is positioned, straddling the three center slits. The belt is then woven through the slits and. the belt unit is positioned upon the player with the excess end secured in the loop slits.

The tie-down or string ties are now secured to either the belt or the players trouser 1oops., It is to be observed that the emblem display is held securely stretched by its fit between the. slits in the belt background.

In the modification shown in-FIGURES 6 through 9, a

sliding retainer. 70 for the belt 46 has been'disclosed. This plastic retainer of general rectangular formation comprises side members 72 and a 'base 74.. Cut-outs 76'are' provided on each side member 72 establishing a width comparable to that of the belt 46 for the sport identification apparel that has been shown in the previous views.

Spaced grooves 78 and 80 have been formed in the base 74 and vertical serrations 82 are providedon the opposed longitudinal surfaces. of the; grooves. As shown in FIG- URES 8 and 9, the end 84 of the belt/46 has beeninserted.

through the grooves 78 and 80 and held fast through the grooves 78 and80 due to the serrations 82'with the sid edges of the belt abuting or fitting within the cut-outs 76.

The slide 70 is attachable to the main belting .46 by merely crimping the side edges of the belt down and pressinguponthe center of the belting, .thus setting the beads upon the outer. edges into their slides as particularly shown in FIGURE 9. This arrangement allows movement of the retainer along the belting by sliding into the desired position or location, thus eliminating the usual necessity of threading the entire ending therethrough. t p

While some of thefe'atures of the subject invention have beendescribed in detail, it is apparent that modifications .Iarld'variations may be resorted to without departing from facing or background 54 and may readily be separated 1 therefrom. It is-to .be noticed that thefstays 62, comparable to the stays 26' on the front of the apparel, areprovided to accommodate or adjust thev possible looseness of the straps 20 and 22 in the rear. The straps 20 and 22 pass around the torso of the wearer and both ends of each strapare attached in front to same or-comnion connecting plate 28 as shown in FIGURE 1 to'form.aclosed loop. It is to be observed that certain material has been dou- I bled to give added strength, such 'as disclosed in the identification backgrounds 12 and 14, as facing .38. v V v In operation or use of the sport apparel, a team chooses a color background and it is turned to face the outside. The excess of the slitted belt background is then turned into match'the nearest corresponding slit. The center of the slitted background is then positioned and the emblem or team identification in the rear is placed stradding the three center slits. The belt is then located or applied, weaving it through the slits, flaps and/or loops.

well as the belt The top circle or number background that match the color of the belt background is then turned to face outside by turning the complete attire inside out. The attire or apparel is then put upon the player and the'slitted ,adjustment portions are arranged so that they hang just above the belt on each side, the excess ends running just-under or up to the sliding holders'or flaps above. The tie-downs or string ties 52 are then secured to either the belt or to the players trouser loops. v 7

It is to be observed that the emblem or team designation slits in the belt background.

It is to be further understood that the numeral designation may be readily reversed to indicate dilferent'color, as

in the case of the double belt and team designation- Further, the numerals may be changed readily as well as the teams designation.

. I In the practical use of'the unit orapparatus, a team choos s a g v color a kground'and turns it to face the the spirit of the invention; and that accordingly, the ap-- pended'cla'ims are to afford a range of equivalent and scope fairly in keeping with our. contribution to the art.

.We claim: I

1. In an adjustable and reversible identification apparel of plastic material for athletic contests, crossed shoulder straps, each strap having front and back portions adapted to extend around a torso'ofa wearer, in front and in back, numeral designation on a background of doubled plastic material on said front andback portions, said shoulder strapspositionedbetween said doubled material, stays located on the lower portions of said'straps whereby loosening of the straps is minimized, connecting plates secured to the ends of the crossed shoulder straps, each shoulder strap forming a loop adapted to extend around the torso with the respective ends of said strap attached to a respective common connecting plate, and an adjustable, reversible belt background'of doubled plastic material having loops formed thereon'to receive a belt of comparable material, .said belt cooperatingwith said loops when said belt background is folded on itself and opposing belt loops aligned, abuckle secured onthe ends of said belt, tie-down cords secured to each of said con-.

necting plates and said belt whereby said connected parts are maintained in relative adjustment. t

2. An adjustable and reversible identification apparel of plastic material for athletic contests, comprising a pair of crossed shoulder straps, each strap having front and is held securely stretched by its positioning between the back portions adapted to extend around the torso of a wearer; at least one colored identification background of doubled material of ditferent identifying colors -on opposite sides thereof, said shoulder straps passing between said sides'of said identification background; connecting plates secured to the ends of said crossed shoulder straps,

each shoulderstrap'forming a loop adapted to extend around the torso with the respective ends of said strap at- V tached to a respective common connecting plate; a foldable,-reversible,belt background of different identifying colors on opposite sides, said identifying colors corresponding to those of said identification background;

spaced slits in said beltbackgound forming spaced belt loops thereon, said belt background being adjustable by folding back the ends of saidbelt background and aligning two of said belt loops formed thereon; a belt extending 1 through said belt loops in said belt background; and

means for securing said connecting plates to said belt.-

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 921,812 5/09 Darf -1 2-328 1,038,057 9/12 Younger 40-'106.41X 1,368,519, 2/21 Mongan.

1,540,455' 6/25 Beck;

11/99 Great Britain. 9

: JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner.

E. V. BENHAM, Examiner; 

2. AN ADJUSTABLE AND REVERSIBLE IDENTIFICATION APPAREL OF PLASTIC MATERIAL FOR ATHLETIC CONTESTS, COMPRISING A PAIR OF CROSSED SHOULDER STRAPS, EACH STRAP HAVING FRONT AND BACK PORTIONS ADAPTED TO EXTEND AROUND THE TORSO OF A WEARER; AT LEAST ONE COLORED IDENTIFICATION BACKGROUND OF DOUBLED MATERIAL OF DIFFERENT IDENTIFYING COLORS ON OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF, SAID SHOULDER STRAPS PASSING BETWEEN SAID SIDES OF SAID IDENTIFICATION BACKGROUND; CONNECTING PLATES SECURED TO THE ENDS OF SAID CROSS SHOULDER STRAPS, EACH SHOULDER STRAP FORMING A LOOP ADAPTED TO EXTEND AROUND THE TORSO WITH THE RESPECTIVE ENDS OF SAID STRAP ATTACHED TO A RESPECTIVE COMMON CONNECTING PLATE; A FOLDABLE, REVERSIBLE, BELT BACKGROUND OF DIFFERENT IDENTIFYING COLORS ON OPPOSITE SIDES, SAID IDENTIFYING COLORS CORRESPONDING TO THOSE OF SAID IDENTIFICATION BACKGROUND; SPACED SLITS IN SAID BELT BACKGROUND FORMING SPACED BELT LOOPS THEREON, SAID BELT BACKGROUND BEING ADJUSTABLE BY 